CHANCELLOR George Osborne is facing growing demands from MPs to delay a planned hike in fuel duty for a second time.

Labour is pushing for cross-party support for the vote and hoping Tory MPs will join growing opposition to the rise, which is due to be announced in the Autumn Statement next month.

If it goes ahead, drivers could be paying more by January.

Labour Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls said "it cannot be right" to hit struggling families and businesses with another tax rise. He said Labour was calling on Mr Osborne to halt the hike at least until next April.

Scrapping the duty could be funded by cracking down on tax avoidance, he added.